Printing machine



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Filed June 26, 1940 17 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 17, 1943.

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17 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 26, 1940 w. I. GLADFELTER ETAL 2,326,850

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17 Sheets-Sheet 12 Aug. 17, 1943. w. I. GLADFELTER ETAL PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1940 Aug. 17, 1943. w. GLADFELTER ET AL 2,326,350

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PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1940 17 Sheets-Sheet l6 Aft Z Z'C' e .Z. alaqfell'er, 2,

1943. w. GLADFELTER ET AL 2,326,850

PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 26, 1940 17 Sheets-Sheet l7 Patented Aug. 17, 1943 PRINTING MACHINE Wiltie I. Glatlfelter and Carl C. H. llauger, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md, a corporation of New York Application June 26, 1940, Serial No. 342,568

Claims.

The present invention relates to a machine for printing upon curved surfaces, such as circular cylindrical surfaces. In the specific embodiments shown herein, the machine is adapted for printing upon the surfaces of containers, such as sheet metal cans and the like, but, of course, the invention is not limited to such use, as it may readily be adapted for printing the surfaces of a wide variety of different classes of articles, such as bottles, jars, tumblers, paper or cardboard cartons or tubes, collapsible lead tubes, and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a high speed machine for printing, preferably with a plurality of colors, on the curved surfaces of such articles as sheet metal cans after the same have been formed to cylindrical shape, and to perform the printing operation at such a rate of speed as to keep pace with a commercial can fabricating line.

Heretofore, in the can art, can bodies have universally been decorated, if at all, by printing sheet metal sheets in flat condition, prior to cutting the sheets into blanks and forming the blanks into can bodies in a standard body maker, wherein the blanks are wrapped around a horn and the edges secured together, for instance, by a double lock, soldered side seam. Certain dis advantages are inherent in that procedure, however, since the blank folding wings in the body maker are likely to scratch or mar the previously applied printing, or the decoration is likely to become damaged during subsequent operations, such as when the end members are seamed-on, when the interior is coated, or when the cans are tested for leaks,

It is an object of the present invention to apply the decoration to the surface of the can as substantially the last step in its manufacture, or, at least, after all of the operations have been performed which might damage the decoration on the exterior surface of the can body.

With the recent advent of relatively tall, drawn, seamless can bodies, such as are made in accordance with the applications of Calleson et al., Serial Nos. 129,068 and 280,650, filed, respectively, March 4, 1937 and June 2, 1939, special problems as to decorating the cans arose, since the sheet metal from which the can bodies are made could not be lithographed or decorated in the flat. The drawing operations obviously would entirely destroy any decoration previously applied to the flat blanks.

Although not confined thereto, the machine of the present invention is particularly adapted for printing the cylindrical surface of deep drawn, seamless containers, of the type shown in the applications of Calleson et al., Serial Nos, 129,068 and 280,650, filed, respectively, March 4, 1937 and June 2, 1939.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine which will take the containers in a line, after they have been fabricated, and preferably aftcr they have been coated externally with a base coat, such as a baked aluminum lacquer, and apply to the cylindrical surface thereof, a printed decoration in a plurality of colors, and then discharge the printed cans at the same speed, without marring their printed surfaces.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel can-handling instrumentalities in the machine, whereby the cans are supported for rotation by their ends.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with means for conveying the cans along a predetermined path, supported for free rotation, as aforesaid, novel printing transfer means adapted to make rolling contact successively with the individual cans.

A further object is to provide, in combination, a novel can-supporting turret, novel transfer blanket means cooperating therewith, and a plurality of individual printing assemblies adapted to apply to the transfer blanket means, a plurality of differently colored ink patterns.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in an apparatus of the class described, a turret for rotatably supporting a plurality of cans and a transfer cylinder rotating in timed relation therewith and having a pair of diamctically spaced transfer blankets associated therewith, each adapted to print upon alternate cans in the turret, whereby the production rate of the machine is substantially doubled.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel printing assemblies adapted to cooperate with a transfer cylinder and including improved, adjustable ink applying means for the plate cylinder or roll.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine that may be employed to apply to the cylindrical surfaces of containers or the like, a continuous coating of ink or other coating material in a plurality of layers, or, if desired, to apply a plurality of differently colored continuous bands to such surfaces.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from a consideration of the specific embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings and described below. It must be understood, however, that the drawings and the following description ar illustrative only and are in no sense restrictive of the invention, since many modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art after a consideration of this disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine with certain parts broken away and other parts removed.

Figure 2 is an end elevation, looking from the right of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic, rear elevation, showing the drive.

Figure 4 is a central vertical sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 4a is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of th machine frame showing a portion of the ductor roll actuating mechanism.

Figure 4b is an enlarged fragmentary section of a plate roll.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical section, looking in the direction of Figure 1 and taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figures 2 and 4.

Figure 6a is an enlarged sectional view through the head of an operating lever.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged front elevation of the can-holding turret and transfer drum, with certain parts removed.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged section and elevation, showing the can-holding turret, the transfer blanket and one printing assembly.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are, respectively, a sectional view and front and back elevational views of a cam element and associated parts.

Figure 12 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale. showing the relation between a can, its supporting chuck, and the transfer cylinder during printing.

Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 are fragmentary, sec-- tional and elevational views taken on corresponding section lines of Figure 12.

Figure 17 is a side elevation of a supporting cradle for a chuck spindle, removed from the canholding turret.

Figure 18 is an end elevation, looking from the left of Figure 1'7.

Figure 19 is an elevation looking from the opposit end.

Figure 20 is an enlarged vertical section through one printing assembly.

Figure 21 is a vertical section on line 2i-2l of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a vertical section of a preferred adjustment for a plate roll shaft.

Figure 23 is an end elevation of the eccentric sleeve shown in Figure 22, taken from the left.

Figure 24 is a longitudinal section through the rim of a preferred form of inking cylinder, showing the hub in elevation.

Figure 25 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure 26 is a vertical section showing a transfer blanket adjusting mechanism.

Figure 2'7 is a front elevation, similar to Figure 1, but showing a modified form of machine.

Figure 28 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on line 28-28 of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a vertical section, taken on line 29-29 of Figure 27.

Figure 30 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one end of a modified can-supporting chuck.

Figure 31 is an elevation of the other end of the modified can-supporting chuck, and

Figure 32 is a diagrammatic view, partly in vertical section and partially in side elevation, showing a further modification of the invention in which the machine applies a plurality of continuous coatings for continuous bands to the containers.

General organization and driving means Referring to Figure 1, the machine of the pros ent invention comprises, generally, a rotatable can turret l2 having chuck assemblies 13 supported thereon and adapted to receive containers II in a line rolling down an infeed conveyor l0. A rotatable transfer cylinder M has a pair of diametrically opposed transfer blankets i5. IS on its periphery, each positioned to make rolling contact with alternate cans in the turret. A plurality of printing assemblies ll, l8, I9, 20 are positioned about the transfer cylinder, to apply ink or other coating material in a pinrality of different colors, in pattern form, to the transfer blankets. After the cans have been subjected to rolling contact, with one transfer blanket or the other and have received printing therefrom, they are discharged by the chucks and received in special holding brackets 2|, mounted u on an outfeed conveyor chain 22, which uprights the container and delivers them to conveying means, not shown, which may carry them to a baking oven or the like.

As indicated in Figure 3, the main driving pinion 23 for the machine is driven by an electric motor 7.5, operating through a speed reducer 26 and a belt 27, trained about pulleys 2B, 29. Referring to Figure 4, the main driving pinion 23 is keyed upon a shaft 30, journallcd in the main frame casting 31 of the machine. At its end opposite to the end carrying the pulley 29. the shaft 30 has a pinion 32, adapted to be enmeshed with a pinion 33 secured to the end of a longitudinally movable shaft 34, J'ournalled in collars 35 on a bracket 36 and having a hand wheel 31 pinned thereon. A coil compression spring 38 normally urges the shaft and pinion 33 forwardly, out of mesh with the pinion 32, but. when it is desired to turn the machine over by hand, the shaft may be forced inwardly against the compression of the spring.

The main driving pinion 23 is in mesh with a large gear 40, keyed to a main transverse shaft 4!, journalled by appropriate bearings 42 in the frame 3|, and carrying at its forward end the transfer cylinder M. The hub of the large gear 40 carries a smaller pinion 43, in mesh with a large ear 44. keyed to a second main transverse shaft 45 (Fig. 6) jc-urnalled in bearings 46 secured to one end 41 of the frame 3|. The shaft 45 carries, at its front end, the can-holding turret l2 and, in the embodiment illustrated, the speed ratio between the transfer cylinder and the can-holding turret is six to one, since there are iwclve can-holding chucks on the turret and two transfer blankets i5, I6 on the transfer cylinder 4.

The gear 49 is in mesh with a plurality of pinions 48, 4E], 50, El, each associated with one of the printing assemblies 11-20, as hereinafter explained. The shaft 41 at its rear end carries a cam plate 52, having cam grooves in its opposite faces, adapted to actuate links 53, 54, respectively, which impart certain motions at predetermined times to ductor rolls and fountain rolls associated with the printing assemblies, as explained below.

The turret supporting shaft 45 carries an additional gear 55. in mesh with a spur gear 56, fixed to the shaft 51 which carries the sprocket 58 and the outfeed conveyor chain 22.

The can turret and chuck assemblies As pointed out above, the cans I I, rolling down the infeed chute ID, are received in chuck assemblies I3 twelve in number) carried by the turret I2, which rotates about the axis of the horizontal transverse shaft 45. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the turret I2 comprises a central hub 69 and a pair of spaced, radially projecting webs or heads 6|, 62 projecting therefrom and interconnected by a plurality of longitudinally extending flanges 63. The heads GI, 62 project outwardly beyond the webs 63 and are provided with a plurality of sets of parallel reinforcing ribs 64, 65 defining ways 66, 61, in which the chuck assemblies hereinafter mentioned are mounted. The ways or openings therebetween in the head 62 are aligned with similar ways 66. 61 formed in the head BI.

Each chuck assembly comprises a pair of brackets or cradles 68, 69' Fig. 12) slidably mounted f r radial movement in the aligned openings between pairs of ways 66. 61, 66'. 61. Each cradle mounted in the outer head 62 comprises a central block portion disposed between the ways 66, 61, a forwardly projecting portion 69, having a radially outwardly turned end I and an intermediate hollow hoss II adapted to house bearing means I2 for a spindle I3. the spindle also 1 being journalled in bearings I4, carried by an outwardly projecting portion I5 of he central block. On the rear face of the block portion of the cradle, there is bolted. or otherwise secured,

a rearwardly projecting pocket-forming bracket I6, having a concave central portion adapted to receive a can and laterally projecting porIions I? (Fig. 14) which terminate in substantially abutting relation with similar portion of the next pocket-forming bracket in the next opening in the head 62.

The other head 6| carries a plurality of similar assemblies. disposed in substantially the opposite relation. That is, each cradle member 68' comprises a rearwardly projecting portion 69', an upturned. end I0, bosses II, I5 carrying bearings I2. 16" with a spindle 13' journalled therein. The front face of each cradle 68' carries a forwardly projectin r, pocket-forming bracket I6, having a central concave portion adapted to receive one end of a can, and laterally projecting wing port-ions 'lI' disposed in substantially abutting relation with corresponding elements on. the adjacent members. Thus. the pocket-forming brackets '75, I6 provide peripherally disposed pockets on th turret, into which the cans fall by gravi y from the infeed conveyor II) as the turret rotates in a clockwise direction. Figure 1.

The spindles l3, l3, journalled in the bearings I2, I2, I4, M, are mounted for axial movement with respect thereto and relative to centrally disposed plugs 89, 80', bearing against thrust bearings 8|, 8| at one end and having coil compression springs 82, 82 interposed between their other ends and the hollow interior of the spindles 73, I3. Hence, the springs 82, 82' at all times urge the spindles toward the can supported in the adjacent pocket, movement in that direction being permitted by the relative sliding movement between the spindles and the internal plugs 80, Rollers 85, having peripheral grooves 86, 86', are secured to the spindles "I3, I3 by diametric pins 81, 81, disposed in axial slots 88, 88' in the internal plugs 80, 80'. Forked levers 90, 90 (Figs, 12 and 16), pivoted to the members 69, 69 are provided at one end with cam following rolls 9I, SI and at their other bifurcated ends 92, 92 with rollers 93, 93 disposed in the grooves in the roller 85, 85'. Stationary cam rings 95, 95, fixed, respectively, to a stationary bracket 96 and to the machine frame, have laterally projecting portions positioned to be engaged by the rollers 9|, 9| to swing the levers and thereby move the rollers 85, 85' and the spindles 13, I3 away from the ends of the can in the pocket, against the compression of the springs 82. 82, such movement being permitted by reason of the fact that the connecting pins 81, 81 ride in elongated slots 88, 88' in the central plugs 80, 80'.

The spindle I3 is provided at its can-engaging end with an enlarged head 91 having a cylindrical peripheral surface 98 of a radius equal to the can radius, and a concave, central recess 99, adapted to engage the neck end of a can. The spindle head 91'. instead of being provided with a central recess, has a forwardly projecting plug portion 99, adapted to engage the can at the bottom end thereof. Of course, this member may be given any desired shape, corresponding to the shape of the bottom end of the container or other article to be supported. In the embodiment shown, the container I I has a concave bottom end memher double-seamed thereto, thereby providing a concave lower end, defined by a bead I la, similar to a standard sanitary seam.

As pointed out above, the cam 95 is carried by a bracket 96 Fig. 1) having a bearing I05 for the end of the shaft 45 and upwardly and downwardly projecting arms I06, I01, bolted to the side face of the machine frame. The other cam track 95', however, is bolted directly to the machine housing or frame adjacent the intermediate bear ng I68 and the shaft 45. As shown in Figure 5, the operative, projecting portions of the earns 95, 95' are disposed opposite each other. to withdraw the can end engaging members 91, 91 simultaneously, to permit a can to be discharged from the chuck and to make room for a new can to be received therein. When the cams 95, 95' release the-rollers 9|, 9|, the springs 82, 82 force the can end engaging heads 91, 91 toward the can and, by engagement therewith, lift the can from its initial position resting in the pockets I6, 16'. When so raised and engaged by the ends of the spindles, the cans are supported for free rotation.

Such rotation is imparted to the spindles and to the can by the transfer cylinder I4, described below. which is provided with tracks III), III, I I6, III, disposed to make driving contact with the peripheries of the rollers 85, 85 and heads 91, 91'. As previously pointed out, the cylindrical surfaces of the rollers and heads are struck about centers disposed coaxially with the can on radii equal to the can. Hence, the cylindrical surface of the can is rotated at the same peripheral speed as the rollers 85, 85 and heads 91, 91. As pointed out below, the printing blankets on the periphery of the transfer cylinder are disposed on a cylindrical surface which is a projection of the surfaces of the tracks IIU, III, III), I I I on the transfer cylinder.

As the can-holding turret is rotated, the chuck assemblies thereon are brought successively into 

